Fungal infections are spread by direct contact. And, they love moist places. Places like the gym or a community pool or even the nail salon create a “perfect storm” for fungal infections—lots of barefooted people in damp conditions! You can, however, take steps to avoid athlete’s foot and fungal toenails. Below are some do’s and don’ts to protect your feet:

Do: wear flip-flops or shower shoes at all times when you are at the gym (or any public place where people are walking barefoot).

Don’t: share socks, shoes, towels or any other items that touch someone else’s feet. Fungal infections are highly contagious. If someone in your household has one, it’s important to make sure that the shower is thoroughly cleaned after they use it and that they don’t share a bed with another family member.

Do: bring your clippers, cuticle trimmers, emery board, and other tools to the nail salon. (Always check that proper sanitizing methods are being followed for cleaning whirlpool foot baths too.)

Do: wash your feet every day with soap and water.

Don’t: forget to dry your feet completely and pay particular attention to the spaces between your toes. This is the spot where athlete’s foot most often develops first.

Do: change your socks more than once during the day if your feet tend to sweat excessively. Never let feet sit in damp or wet socks and shoes.

Don’t: wear the same pair of shoes for several days in a row. Shoes can also be a breeding ground for fungi and need to be aired out between uses.

Don’t: wait to seek treatment if you notice signs of athlete’s foot, fungal toenail or other fungal conditions. Rashes, discoloration of the skin or nails, dryness or other unusual symptoms should be reported to our podiatrists, Dr. Ben Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah, promptly so they can be treated before they spread. If you think you may have a fungal infection on your feet, contact our New Jersey offices in Linden, Edison, Monroe or Monmouth County today by calling: 732-662-3050.

At Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care, we find that patients are not as vigilant about athlete’s foot and other bacterial and viral infections as they are in the summer. Remember that infections thrive in warm, moist places and that they are spread by direct contact. There are several factors, however, that make these infections equally as likely to occur in the winter:

Superheated cars, offices, stores, and homes to ward off the cold can result in sweaty feet.

Snow and slush can penetrate shoes and boots when walking outside leaving feet wet for a different reason.

Many people move their workouts inside during the colder months, exposing them to risks in gyms, exercise studios, and indoor pools.

Points for Prevention

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect your feet from infection. These include:

Avoid going barefoot in public areas. Always wear shower shoes or flip-flops in places like locker rooms, gym showers, and the pool deck.

Cover any cuts or scrapes on your feet or ingrown toenails with a band-aid. Even tiny tears in the skin can allow bacteria to enter and cause an infection.

Change your socks as soon as you perceive that your feet are damp.

Use foot powder before putting socks on in the morning if your feet sweat excessively.

If you like to treat yourself to professional pedicures, be sure that the salon you choose is licensed and follows proper sanitizing procedures.

Wash feet daily with soap and water.

Seek Treatment Promptly

Be aware of the signs of a skin or nail infection. Athlete’s foot may first show up between the toes and be extremely itchy. As the infection progresses, the skin will become dry and flaky and may even begin to bleed or form blisters. Fungal nails may not cause any discomfort but will change color, and become thick and crumbly on the edges.

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment at our Monmouth Junction, Edison or Monroe office in New Jersey by calling: 732-662-3050. Our podiatrists, Dr. Ben Gujral or Dr. Nrupa Shah will examine your feet and toenails and prescribe the proper treatment. Left untreated, viral and bacterial infections can spread to other parts of your body.